The Minimalist CEO

Latest Episodes:

EP 020 Daniel Lee: Buy A Successful Business and Commit Jul 21, 2021

Show notes

Daniel Lee earned his B.S. in Management from North Carolina State University and his M.B.A. from Rockhurst University in Kansas City. After graduating, he spent most of his career in the insurance industry working in multiple leadership roles for two national insurers. He spent 15 years developing teams, improving processes, and delivering positive customer experiences.

He enjoyed his clients and found he had a lot in common with small business owners. After doing a serious soul searching and evaluation of what he wanted in his life and career, he took the leap and purchased Windura Inc., a small business of premium windows and doors.

In my teaching and coaching, I have a process called the GIFTS Formula. I enjoyed how Daniel graciously answered and compared his thoughts and considerations before purchasing his business as it applies to my process.

There is a lot to be learned from Daniel’s wisdom. We also discussed:

· Determining priorities; using my time or delegating?

· Company core value: Do what you say you are going to do.

· Why the company now focuses on specific projects and says no to others.

· Why it’s not selfish to take care of yourself.

Enjoy the show!

Connect with Daniel:

Website: https://www.windura.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dglee1/

Connect with Nate:

Website: http://www.theminimalistceo.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 019 Rich Whitten and The $125 million culture. Letting go to LOCK IT IN! Jul 14, 2021

Show notes

Richard Whitten started as the Chief Financial Officer, then moved to the role of Chief Operating Officer and is now the Chief Executive Officer of Reconstruction Experts. As CFO, he implemented accounting procedures and a performance reporting framework, and as COO he created standardized systems and processes to consistently generate high-quality outcomes. The years of working in multiple business environments have allowed him to create scalable systems to help the company grow.

I frequently speak about how transparency creates transformation. Rich generously shared insights on how he has worked to create a trust-based organization to help everyone succeed. His thoughtful leadership focuses on bringing out the best in his team, so they routinely exceed client expectations and improve the lives of the individuals they work with and serve.

Rich and I discussed how to create a culture change within an organization and the challenge to align employees with company goals while positioning them to be successful.

Some topics we cover include:

· Developing and communicating a vision for the company.

· Creating a foundation for trust.

· Reconstruction Experts-a model of client-focused reconstruction services.

· Starting in multifamily HOA and moving into commercial and municipal markets.

· Explaining the referral partner network and how the company contributes to partners.

· The relationship with property management companies.

Enjoy the show!

Connect with Richard:

Website: https://www.reconexp.com

Facebook: @ReconstructionExpertsinc

Instagram: @reconstruction_experts

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reconstruction-experts/

Connect with Nate Lindquist

Website: http://www.theminimalistceo.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 018 Whitney Hill: Constant Improvement - The SNAP Way Jun 02, 2021

Show notes

Whitney Hill is in the hot market of building Accessory Dwelling Units, ADU, sometimes referred to as granny flats. Whitney is based in San Diego where there is a housing shortage, but other areas of the country are also creating new legislation for ADU’s. Last year, Whitney, the Co-Founder, Head of Business Operations & Development at Snap ADU and her partner, Mike Moore, are on target to reach $10-million in sales.

Before co-founding Snap ADU, Whitney spent several years as a developer of high-end homes on the east coast. Before turning to real estate, she built a decade of strategic and tactical experience working as a management consultant at Bain & Company and as an operations manager for industrial supply distributor McMaster-Carr. She has a BA from Yale University and received her MBA from NYU Stern.

I’ve nominated Whitney to be an honorary Minimalist CEO because of her wealth of knowledge, and the strategies she executes to reach such a fast trajectory in sales.

Here’s just a few highlights from our conversation:

· Finding the niche marketplace and staying focused.

· Creating a team with different perspectives.

· The competition and differentiating.

· Educating and being transparent with homeowners.

· Building systems, growing with the right tools and outsourcing.

· Setting client expectations.

· Just never… don’t go!

Enjoy the show!

Connect with Whitney:

Website:

www.snapADU.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/snapadu/

Instagram:

@whitney.seibel @snap.adu @moore_construction

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitney-hill/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/snap-adu

Connect with Nate:

Website: http://www.theminimalistceo.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 017 Kenny Schwamb: Hooking Into Success to Build Momentum May 26, 2021

Show notes

Kenny Schwamb starting his plumbing career when he was just 12 years old! Even after finishing his Master of Criminal Justice degree, Kenny went right back to work as a plumber at his brother’s company. He worked his way up to become a manager and eventually started his own business called Order A Plumber.

A strategic alliance helped to catapult Kenny to grow his business, while learning more of what it takes to run a successful company. Today, Order A Plumber is a full-service plumbing company specializing in service and repair, renovation, and construction work for residential and commercial industries.

From being scrappy to now running a six-million-dollar company, even with Covid setbacks, Kenny has a great story to share about his journey to success.

In our conversation we discussed:

· Build on the momentum of affiliate alliances and joint ventures.

· Keep building relationships, even with competitors.

· Even in business, give everything and expect nothing in return.

· Continually reinvest in your business and take chances.

· Take time for yourself at every stage of the business.

Enjoy the show!

Connect with Kenny:

Website: https://www.orderaplumber.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orderaplumber

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orderaplumber/

Connect with Nate Lindquist

Website: http://www.theminimalistceo.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 016 Joe Gillikin: From Baseball Pro to Business Pro-Teams Win! May 19, 2021

Show notes

A successful Chicago White Sox minor league baseball player, Joe Gillikin knows how to bring a team together as he does with his company, AdvantaClean in Oklahoma City. Joe is a successful business owner who has learned to delegate and partner with others to grow his company to over a one-million-dollar yearly revenue business.

He received his degree in Business Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma College of Business and continues a long-term relationship with REDBUD Construction, Inc.

Joe is in the restoration business space focused primarily on the mitigation, environmental side of restoration. In our conversation, we discussed:

· The challenge of delegating and building out a team.

· Giving value to referral partners.

· Being an educator to the trades.

· Constantly training technicians internally.

· A program to train staff members of property management companies.

· A long-term goal-establish national catastrophe teams.

Enjoy the show!

Connect with Joe:

Website: https://www.advantaclean.com/oklahoma-city-ok/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdvantaClean/

Connect with Nate Lindquist

Website: http://www.theminimalistceo.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 015 Laurel Sagen: How this Female Carpenter Let Go to Grow! May 12, 2021

Show notes

Laurel Sagen, owner of Laurel Buys Houses, is a licensed contractor and private real estate investor in Sacramento. In today’s episode, she honestly shares her unfortunate failures and how she made her way back to success. For over 20 years, Laurel has helped thousands of people by buying their home-no matter the condition or situation. Her work has been featured on HGTV and multiple home tours.

Even with mistakes, Laurel has created outstanding success. There are so many lessons that Laurel shares, including:

· The inspiration of reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad and Retire Rich, Retire Young.

· Buying rentals with partners following the Rat Race game.

· Having 30 rentals before flipping her first house.

· Having eight-million and then being worth a negative one-million.

· Letting go by having a team work for her and her partner.

· The power of learning in Masterminds.

· Practicing the freedom multiplier.

Get a copy of Laurel’s free book, Your Next Move, in the link below.

Enjoy the show!

Connect with Laurel:

Website: laurelbuyshouses.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurelbuyshousesSacramento

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurelsagen/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lbhsac/

Free book: https://www.laurelbuyshouses.com/laurels-free-book/

Connect with Nate Lindquist

Website: http://www.theminimalistceo.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 014 Ami Feller: The Roofer Chick Turnaround Story Apr 14, 2021

Show notes

Ami Feller has gone through all the difficulties of running a business. She first started in the roofing business as her brother’s helper and worked her way to be the crew chief. The company moved from Iowa to Texas and learned first-hand about the market differences that made them, “almost bankrupt.”

Her brother continued the business, and Ami went to corporate America. Feeling dissatisfied with the corporate grind, she rejoined her brother, who was growing the business with lessons he had learned along the way.

She learned a new talent called sales. On her first call, that was to be a $375 repair job, she sold a half-million-dollar roof!

In our conversation, Ami shares how she became known as the Home Roofer Chick on YouTube, and how she continues to grow her business.

We discussed:

· Learning the culture of work crews that vary across the country.

· Transitioning from job sites to sales.

· A new perspective on loving customers and the community.

· Building a team of competent people.

· Marketing and branding.

Enjoy the show!

Connect with Ami:

Email: info@FellerRoofingNB.com

Website: www.RooferChick.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FellerRoofingNB

YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/c/fellerroofingnb

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fellerroofingnb/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgGxoHOgRhMWfiYq0p3nKzA

Connect with Nate Lindquist

Website: http://www.theminimalistceo.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 013 David Indursky: Empower your Team and be Good to Everyone Apr 07, 2021

Show notes

David Indursky, President of ENCON, started at the ground level of the family business doing every chore and entry level task assigned to him. Those early days prepared him from running a $5-million company in 2000 to growing it to over $35-million.

David feels so fortunate to be in a generational business. His dad, Marty, still comes to work every day at age 82. David is a leader to be admired for how he has handled the challenges and growth in the company. He is also proud of his team, who has donated over half a million dollars to charities nationwide.

In our conversation, we discussed the challenges of growing a company including:

· Making a shift to a systems mindset.

· Handing over customers to team members.

· Changing from the public to the private sector.

· Looking at other industries for mentors and peer advice.

· Core values and giving back to the community.

· How to succeed at team building.

Take notes and enjoy the show!

Connect with David Indursky:

Website: https://www.enconmech.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/enconmech

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-indursky-2b81917

Connect with Nate Lindquist:

Website: http://www.theminimalistceo.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 012 Austin Massey: Making His New Cafe "Pandemic Proof" Feb 17, 2021

Show notes

Austin Massey is one of the owners of Viator Coffee Co. and the General Manager of their downtown Elgin location. With over 15 years in the food service industry, and a degree in Hospitality Management from Harper College in Palatine, IL., Austin brings all of his experience into running his business at the highest caliber, not just to make the best coffee drinks and food possible, but ultimately to create a culture of people who love coffee and others really well, while maintaining the goal of establishing themselves as the industry standard in service and job security through providing opportunities for employees to engage in coffee education, media, design, community outreach, guest services, leadership, and professional development.

In our discussion we explored making his new café “pandemic proof.”

Here are some of the other beneficial topics covered on this week’s show:

● How depth in conversations and community can be created around coffee.

● Why owning a café is difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic.

● How business owners need to be able to pivot when changes occur.

● Why it’s important to make connections with the customers you serve.

● How restaurants need good food and drinks and good servers.

Connect with Austin:

Links Mentioned:

viatorcoffeecart.com

Guest Contact Info:

Instagram

@viatorcoffee

Connect with Nate Lindquist

Website: http://www.theminimalistceo.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 011 Frank Farmer: From Physician To Genuine Sales Wizard Feb 10, 2021

Show notes

Frank Farmer is the founder and President of American Metal Roofs (AMR) based in Michigan. Trained as a physician, Frank has used his medical knowledge to develop methods of analyzing a home’s health. In that process, he gathers information that is crucial for an impactful and profitable sales presentation. In 2013, Frank was appointed to the Board of Governors for the Home Improvement Professional Executive Council (HIPEC).

Frank also sits on the Board of the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) providing sales and marketing guidance to North American metal roofing manufactures and contractors. In 2018, Frank received the “Legends of the Home Improvement” award for his leadership and development of the residential metal roofing industry. His reputation as a business innovator and problem solver has made him a recognized authority in the metal roofing industry. Along with others at American Metal Roofs, Frank consults with many other contractors and other businesses through their advisory company, Metal Roofing Consultants.

In our discussion we explored transitioning from a physician to a genuine sales wizard.

Here are some of the other beneficial topics covered on this week’s show:

● How thank you gifts can be used as a powerful tool to help with referrals.

● Why having ethics, morals, and values is important for every salesperson.

● How using a consultative approach is better for relationship building.

● Why having a unique high-quality product allows businesses to stand out.

● How providing a solution to a problem will drive business your way.

Connect with Frank:

Links Mentioned:

americanmetalroofs.com

Guest Contact Info:

Facebook